Santiago Canyon College (SCC) is pioneering a transformative approach to health care education with its Humanizing Healthcare initiative, designed to prepare the next generation of registered nurses by fostering a culture of care. Funded by a two-year Rebuilding Nursing Infrastructure (RNI) grant awarded in 2025 by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the initiative aims to expand nursing pathways, reimagine nursing education, and help meet California’s growing health care workforce demands.
“Orange County is facing a critical shortfall in the health care workforce just as our population is aging rapidly,” said Michelle Samura, SCC Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. “The RNI grant has enabled us to mobilize our entire campus to build a responsive and highly supportive pathway.”
Thirty faculty members from 21 disciplines across all SCC divisions have united for the initiative, focusing on five key areas to build bridges between academics and health care. One area involves interdisciplinary curriculum, including a Medical and Healthcare Humanities certificate launching this fall—the first of its kind at a California community college.
This certificate integrates arts, humanities, and social sciences into nursing education through new courses like Spanish for Healthcare Professionals and Sociology of Aging and Health.
A second area enhances existing coursework with modules tailored to pre-nursing and health care students, strengthening the connection between classes and careers. “It’s about moving from a patient-centered system to a person-centered system that supports a more holistic approach to health care,” said James Granitto, SCC professor of philosophy, who is leading the certificate development.
“We provide nurses not only with medical knowledge but also with tools to become empathetic, reflective, and compassionate people.”
A third area increases access to SCC’s Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing and Allied Health Science degree from multiple entry points, including SCC’s Continuing Education offerings. These tuition-free, noncredit certificate programs can be pursued alongside credit courses and include options such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Lactation Educator Specialist, and Behavior Technician.
A Licensed Vocational Nurse certificate will be available starting fall 2027.
“If students who want to go into nursing obtain a license and work while going to school, when they apply to get into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at a four-year institution, they can state they have hands-on experience in patient care,” said Christine Gascon, SCC Dean of Instruction and Student Services and Continuing Education.
A fourth area emphasizes partnerships with four-year universities for seamless BSN transfer pathways. The RNI grant outlines collaborations with CSU and UC institutions, starting with UC Irvine and Cal State San Bernardino.
“We are working with Santiago Canyon College to guarantee that students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing at UC Irvine will know what they need, get the support to achieve it, and have a real shot,” said Mark Lazenby, UC Irvine dean of nursing and professor of nursing and philosophy. At Cal State San Bernardino, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences Sastry G.
Pantula added, “We are very excited to partner with Santiago Canyon College to make the transition to our nursing and healthcare programs smooth.” Community-engaged research experiences are also being developed to build leadership and professional skills.
A fifth area connects the entire framework to the community through coursework, guidance, and support. SCC professor of biology Sandra Sanchez, an RNI faculty liaison and Latina educator, is working to ensure graduates reflect the communities they serve.
“Through the RNI grant, I support initiatives that expand access, strengthen transfer pathways to BSN programs, and foster a sense of belonging among students who may not always see themselves represented in health care professions,” Sanchez said. “A diverse health care workforce enhances cultural understanding, promotes equity, and leads to more compassionate, patient-centered care.”
For aspiring nurses or current professionals seeking development, SCC is reimagining nursing education as accessible, relevant, and community-focused. “We are shifting the paradigm of how we prepare health care workers,” Samura said.
“It’s about caring for a person, not just a patient. By bringing over 21 different academic disciplines to the table, we are ensuring our students enter the workforce with both technical precision and deep human empathy.”